Few relationships in the NFL have been as complicated as the one between Deshaun Watson and Cleveland. The trade, the contract, the injuries and years of losing have all shaped how fans view their quarterback. After Sunday’s win over the Carolina Panthers, Watson took the opportunity to speak to the city.
FOX Sports shared the postgame interview.
“Man, I love em. I love Cleveland. This is awesome. I know we’ve been through some ups and downs, trust me, I wish there was some better days, but if we look forward and build off this win, comeback Thursday night and get another big one, we can make something special for this city,” Watson said.
The @Browns improve to 2-1 on the season!@JenHale504 caught up with Cleveland QB Deshaun Watson after the 21-18 victory over Carolina pic.twitter.com/ELMrzxQr88
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 27, 2026
He openly acknowledged the rough stretches and admitted he wishes things had gone better, which is not something Browns fans have often heard from him.
He also gave them a reason to listen. Watson was booed during the preseason and entered the home opener facing plenty of skepticism, but he delivered when it mattered most. With Cleveland trailing 18-13, he hit Harold Fannin Jr. for a 14-yard touchdown with 1:48 left and then found Denzel Boston on the 2-point conversion.
The numbers were modest, as he finished with 145 passing yards. But he has now thrown multiple touchdown passes in back-to-back games for the first time since the end of the 2022 season, and he has 5 touchdowns against just 1 interception through 3 games.
The Browns have almost no time to celebrate, as the Pittsburgh Steelers come to Cleveland on October 1 for Thursday Night Football.
It is the only primetime game on Cleveland’s schedule this season, and it is also the first AFC North matchup of the year. Both teams have new head coaches, with Mike McCarthy leading Pittsburgh and Todd Monken running the Browns.
History is on Cleveland’s side. The Browns have won their last 9 home games on Thursday night, including 4 against the Steelers, and Pittsburgh has not won in Cleveland since 2021.
The short week will test how quickly this young team can clean up the penalties that nearly cost it on Sunday. There is very little practice time to fix those issues before facing a division rival.
The Browns finished last in the AFC North in 2025, so a 3-game winning streak capped by a primetime victory over Pittsburgh would change the conversation around this team in a hurry.
Watson’s words were a good start. Backing them up in front of a national audience on Thursday would go even further toward winning over the city he says he loves.
NEXT: Todd Monken Sends Warning Message About Browns After Big Win
